Glenn County DA terminates deputy, political challenger, for second time

WILLOWS >> Dishonesty is the word the Glenn County district attorney is using to describe the reason for firing a political rival from being deputy district attorney.

However, the man facing termination claims it's a personal attack.

For more than 3 1/2 years, District Attorney Bob Maloney and Deputy District Attorney Dwayne Stewart have been battling over allegations of misconduct, but the situation intensified after Stewart announced he would run for the district attorney's position.

Stewart made the decision to include his name on the ballot in December 2013, he said. Being elected district attorney would afford him the opportunity to return to his home and work with people he loves.

It would also be a way to stop wasting county money on a legal fight with Maloney and "remove him as district attorney," Stewart said.

Maloney, who if elected would serve a second term, opted to run for re-election to keep Stewart out, he said.

"The county of Glenn needs a credible DA, and when I became aware of the fact that Mr. Stewart was going to run, I chose not to allow that to happen without the opportunity for the public to elect another person," said Maloney, who has stated that he might have retired if not for Stewart.

Recently, Maloney sent various media outlets via email approximately 150 pages of documents from various investigations into Stewart.

Some of the allegations claim Stewart's lack of cooperation in 2012 to determine where he obtained a ballistics vest and badge stolen from his car, as well as falsely identifying himself as a law enforcement officer in April.

The bulk of the documentation focuses on investigations by the Blythe and Willows police departments and private investigator Robert Prevot of Prevot & Associates about how Stewart obtained the vest and badge. According to the documents, Stewart didn't remember who gave him the vest.

The most recent allegations claim Stewart provided false information to a vehicle rental company and flashed a badge during the personal transaction.

For a period of four to five years, Stewart has exhibited a lack of honesty or conduct that is inappropriate in the District Attorney's Office, Maloney said.

Stewart, however, states the allegations are "absolutely personal" and he hasn't been found guilty of any wrongdoing.

"I made him mad before I even met him or worked for him," he said.

Maloney first fired Stewart On Jan. 4, 2011, less than 24 hours after Maloney was elected, for allegedly misusing county property. However, in June 2012, a state arbitrator ruled the firing was to be rescinded and Stewart should receive back pay because Maloney acted for political reasons.

The Glenn County Board of Supervisors upheld the arbitrator's decision and gave written notice to the effect in January 2014, said Jamie Cannon, Glenn County's director of personnel.

The latest alleged attempt to rid the District Attorney's Office of Stewart came in March, Stewart said.

On March 10, Stewart was to be officially reinstated at the Glenn County office, but he said he was told when he arrived that he had been placed on paid administrative leave.

"I never made it past the front door," he said.

Stewart was placed on leave because there's an active investigation, and he can't return until that's complete, Maloney said.

Stewart claims Maloney will never allow him to work in the office, he said, and he claims he and others knew Maloney would come up with new reasons to keep him out.

Stewart claims Maloney hired the investigator and sent him to Riverside County because he was upset about the Glenn County board's ruling.

"I think he was just mad that he lost," Stewart said.

Maloney's motive for starting the investigation into the ballistics vest again was solely because Stewart would once again be employed by the District Attorney's Office, Maloney said, adding that it's his obligation to the public to investigate any dishonesty in his office.

The only thing that made the issue political is the fact that Stewart decided to run for district attorney, he said.

"I think the man is dishonest and I will not allow him to be in the DA's Office as long as I am DA," Maloney said.

He said he stands by his decision to release the information on the investigation, and now it's the public's turn to read the investigation and determine for themselves whether Maloney did the right thing.